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Weird tab automatically opens

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Sometimes when I go to a site with social networking buttons (i.e. FaceBook, Twitter, Google+), a weird new tab opens up with a small button on the upper right corner. I suspect that it's an add-on problem; but because it occurs randomly, I cannot single out which add-on causes this weird behavior, nor can I provide an snapshot attachment immediately.

Note, The extensions Download Helper, DownThemAll, Fullscreen Homestarruner, TabMixPlus, and TACO were disabled at one point when this issue occurred.

If anyone reading this does not have this problem, please list the add-ons you use that are also on the Troubleshooting Information list so that I can rule them out.

Sometimes when I go to a site with social networking buttons (i.e. FaceBook, Twitter, Google+), a weird new tab opens up with a small button on the upper right corner. I suspect that it's an add-on problem; but because it occurs randomly, I cannot single out which add-on causes this weird behavior, nor can I provide an snapshot attachment immediately. Note, The extensions Download Helper, DownThemAll, Fullscreen Homestarruner, TabMixPlus, and TACO were disabled at one point when this issue occurred. If anyone reading this does not have this problem, please list the add-ons you use that are also on the Troubleshooting Information list so that I can rule them out.

All Replies (3)

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The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.


Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

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You may see a toolbar button or sidebar from the Social features.

You can disable the Social features by setting the social.enabled pref to false on the about:config page.

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Turns out it opens in a new tab because tabmixplus, but even when I change the settings, it can still appear whether it's in the current tab or in a new window.